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How to fix iPhone dictation not working after iOS 26 update

by Kevin Hollington

Is your iPhone dictation not working after iOS 26 update? Or perhaps the dictation icon is nowhere to be found at all? Don’t worry; these are several simple troubleshooting steps you can follow when dictation is not working on iOS 26.

1. Make Sure Dictation Is Enabled on Your iPhone

The dictation feature is represented by a microphone icon at the bottom of your iPhone on-screen keyboard. While dictation is enabled by default, you’ll need to turn it on in Settings first if you don’t see the microphone icon on the keyboard.

Here’s how to enable dictation on iOS 26:

  1. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard.
  2. Turn on Enable Dictation. If a prompt appears, tap Enable Dictation.

The microphone icon will now appear on the iOS keyboard; tap it to begin dictating.

If dictation is already enabled, but the icon is still missing, try disabling and re-enabling the feature. In the same Keyboards setting page, toggle off Enable Dictation, tap Turn Off Dictation to confirm, then toggle on Enable Dictation again.

2. Add the Dictation Language to Your iPhone Keyboard

Let’s say you typically type in English on your iPhone but want to dictate something in Chinese. The iPhone’s dictation feature won’t recognize what you’re saying if Chinese hasn’t been added to the keyboard yet.

In this case, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard. From the list, choose Chinese (or your preferred language), select the keyboard input method, and tap Done.

If you intend to dictate text in a Chinese dialect, there’s an additional setting you need to do. In the Keyboards setting page, go to Dictation Languages. From the list, select one of the language variations in addition to Mandarin.

Now, when it comes to dictating your text, remember to switch the dictation language too. Tap the microphone icon, tap EN (which stands for English), and choose your new preferred dictation language.

Note: Dictation may not be available in all languages or in all countries or regions, and features may vary.

3. Allow Siri & Dictation in Your iPhone’s Screen Time Settings

If dictation still isn’t working on your iPhone, it may be due to your iPhone’s Screen Time settings, which can restrict the dictation feature on your device.

To check if that is the case, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps & Features. If Siri & Dictation is toggled off, toggle it on so your iPhone will let you use the dictation function again.

4. Test Your iPhone’s Microphone

If you have all the correct settings in place, yet dictation isn’t working, the issue may lie with your iPhone microphone and not iOS 26.

A quick way to test it is to record a short audio clip using your iPhone’s Voice Memos app. If it’s a software issue, there are solutions to fix your iPhone’s microphone quickly.

But if it’s a hardware problem, you’ll likely need to contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

5. General Fixes: Restart, Update, or Reset Your iPhone

If none of the above steps have resolved your iOS 26 dictation issues, as a last attempt, there are a few general fixes you can try. First, restart your iPhone. To do that, simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button. Then, swipe the red power slider from left to right to turn off your iPhone. Wait a few seconds, then press the Side button again until the Apple logo appears in the center of the display to turn your iPhone back on.

Also, go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if an iOS update is available for your iPhone. Dictation may not be working because your iPhone has a software bug. iOS updates can fix bugs, introduce new settings, and improve native features like dictation.

Lastly, you can opt to reset all settings on your iPhone. Doing this erases all of your iPhone’s saved settings and resets them to factory defaults without deleting your valuable data.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. Enter your iPhone passcode and tap Reset All Settings to confirm your decision. Your iPhone will reset all of its settings, then restart.

To sum up, you’ll need to ensure that dictation is enabled in your iPhone Settings app first. Then, add the right languages to the keyboard and switch between your preferred languages before dictating.

Also, try restarting, updating, or resetting your iPhone. If you suspect the root cause is hardware, it’s best to contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for further assistance. In the meantime, you can also try out some iPhone dictation apps on the App Store.

Tags: Dictation, iOS 26
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How to Fix iPhone Flashlight Not Working After iOS 26 Update

by Kevin Hollington

Many users have faced the frustrating issue of their iPhone flashlight not turning on after updating to iOS 26. For example, you might have seen that the flashlight button is grayed out in Control Center, or your flashlight not turning on while the iPhone is overheated or locked.

So, how can you fix iOS 26 Flashlight issues? Follow this troubleshooting guide to find out.

1. Charge Your iPhone

If your iPhone’s battery is almost empty, the flashlight may not work. So, the first thing you should do when your iPhone flashlight is not working after iOS 26 update is too charge your device.

Simply plug your iPhone to power. The flashlight feature should start working again once your iPhone has sufficient power.

See also: iPhone not charging after iOS 26 update? Here’s how to fix it

2. Check Your iPhone Isn’t Too Hot

When your iPhone gets too hot, the flashlight may stop working. It’s not advisable to continue using an overheating iPhone. If your device exceeds a particular temperature limit, it will eventually shut down until it cools off. You’ll also see a warning appear on your screen if the temperature gets too high.

To allow your device’s temperature to drop naturally, place your iPhone in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Do not attempt to put your device into the fridge, though, as this will cause damage to it. Just find somewhere that’s naturally cool and shady. Once your device cools down, your iPhone flashlight should start working again.

3. Close the Camera app

If your phone’s camera app is open, the flashlight won’t be able to take control of the LED.

Swipe up and hold on the center of the screen, then swipe up to close the Camera app.

4. Turn On Your Flashlight Using the Camera Flash

If you can’t turn on your iPhone flashlight from the Control Center, a workaround is to turn it on in the Camera app by activating the flash function. Here’s how:

In the Camera app, go to Video mode.
Swipe up from the bottom menu (on the word, Video) to bring up more options.
Tap the Flash icon. Select On.

5. Toggle the Flash in Your iPhone’s Camera App

To get rid of glitches that stop your iPhone flashlight from working on iOS 26, you can also try turning your camera flash on and off. The steps are the same as the workaround to turn on your iPhone’s camera flash, as discussed in the previous solution. But instead of leaving the Flash set to On, toggle between On and Off a few times.

6. Ask Siri to Turn On Your iPhone’s Flashlight

If your camera flash doesn’t seem to be working either, there’s another way to enable your iPhone flashlight: Siri. Siri can help you turn on your iPhone flashlight even if the icon is grayed out.

Activate Siri by long-pressing the Side button on your iPhone or saying, “Hey Siri.” When Siri starts listening, say, “Turn on the flashlight.” Your flashlight should turn on instantly, and Siri will also say that it’s on now.

7. Update Your iPhone’s iOS

iOS updates usually come with fixes for performance bugs and various glitches. So, perhaps all you need to do to fix your iOS 26 flashlight issue is to update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available for your iPhone. Make sure your iPhone is charging or has more than 50% battery before you proceed with the update process.

8. Restart Your iPhone

If the above methods don’t solve iOS 26 flashlight problem, the next step you should try is restarting your iPhone.

You can restart your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Shut Down > Slide to power off. Then, hold the Side button to power your iPhone back on.

9. Restore Your iPhone to a Previous Backup

Besides installing the latest iOS 26 update and restarting your iPhone, you can also try restoring your iPhone to a previous backup from when the flashlight was still working as usual. However, when you use this method, keep in mind that you will also lose any new data that was added to your device since you made that backup.

10. Reset All Settings on Your iPhone

If your iPhone torch still isn’t working on iOS 26, the last solution you can attempt is to reset your phone’s settings by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone. Tap Reset and choose Reset All Settings from the pop-up menu. You won’t lose any data from your iPhone; all this does is revert your iPhone’s settings to factory default values.

Take note that the reset process can take a long time, especially if you have a lot of data on your iPhone. So, if you’re stuck in the dark and urgently need a flashlight, don’t rely on resetting your iPhone right there and then!

Make sure you don’t accidentally choose Erase All Content and Settings from the Reset menu. Doing that would delete all the data on your device.

Effective Solutions When Your iPhone Flashlight Is Not Working After iOS 26 Update

If you’ve been stuck wondering why your iPhone flashlight won’t work after iOS 26 update, we hope this list of fixes has helped you resolve the problem effectively.

However, if the issue persists, it’s best for you to contact Apple support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. A technician will then examine your device and determine the potential hardware repairs that are needed.

Tags: flashlight, iOS 26
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How to fix Face ID not working on iPhone after iOS 26 update

by Kevin Hollington
  • If Face ID is not working after iOS 26 update, start by making sure it’s enabled in Settings for any features you want it to unlock.
  • You can create a second appearance in Face ID so it has an easier time recognizing you.
  • Ensure the camera isn’t blocked, but if your face is blocked (with a mask for example), you need to enable Use Face ID with a Mask feature before you can unlock your device with Face ID.

For many people, Face ID is nothing short of a revelation — it lets you log into your iPhone, various apps and services, and even make safe and secure purchases without any effort beyond looking at your phone. Of course, Face ID isn’t without its shortcomings, and it can occasionally fail to work properly, failing to unlock whatever you were trying to access.

If you updated your iPhone to the latest IOS 26 update and Face ID stopped working, there are tips you can try to fix the problem.

When Does Face ID Become Unavailable?

Before going straight to the fixes, Face ID will temporarily stop working in these situations:

  • The device has just been turned on or restarted.
  • The device hasn’t been unlocked for more than 48 hours.
  • The passcode hasn’t been used to unlock the device in the last six and a half days and Face ID hasn’t unlocked the device in the last 4 hours.
  • The device has received a remote lock command.
  • After five unsuccessful attempts to match a face.
  • After initiating power off or Emergency SOS by pressing and holding either volume button and the side button simultaneously for 2 seconds.

What to do if Face ID isn’t working on iPhone in iOS 26

If you have a problem with Face ID not working after updating to iOS 26, try fixing it using these troubleshooting tips.

Make sure Face ID is turned on

If Face ID doesn’t seem to work on your iPhone in iOS 26, the problem might be an easy fix; either it was never enabled, or iOS 26 disabled Face ID for the app or feature you’re trying to unlock. Here’s how to check:

  1. Open the Settings app and then tap Face ID & Passcode.
  2. Enter your passcode if prompted.
  3. Make sure that Face ID is turned on for the feature you’re trying to unlock. In addition to iPhone Unlock, you can also use Face ID on iTunes & App Store, Contactless & Payments, Password AutoFill and any third-party apps that support Face ID.

Set up an alternate appearance

Face ID automatically adapts to changes in your appearance, such as wearing cosmetic makeup or growing facial hair. If your appearance changes radically on occasion, though, you might need to assist Face ID by setting up an alternate appearance.

  1. Open the Settings app and then tap Face ID & Passcode.
  2. Enter your passcode if prompted.
  3. Tap Set Up an Alternate Appearance.
  4. Follow the instructions to let Face ID learn your face and save it as a secondary appearance.

Make sure your Face ID camera isn’t blocked

Face ID makes use of a camera system Apple calls TrueDepth. It’s actually composed of several components including a dot projector that illuminates your face with more than 30,000 tiny infrared dots as well as an infrared camera that detects those dots.

Because those components are spread out across the TrueDepth camera on the iPhone, the TrueDepth camera needs to have a clear and undisturbed view of your face. Make sure that the TrueDepth camera is clean and not covered or blocked by a case or any other sort of obstacle.

Don’t cover your face and look at the camera

In the same way that it’s important not to block the Face ID’s camera, you should make sure nothing is covering your face when you need Face ID to work on your iPhone. Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Face ID generally works whether or not you’re wearing glasses. There are certain kinds of sunglasses that can interfere with Face ID, so if you find it doesn’t work with glasses on, try taking the glasses off and using Face ID again.
  • Your eyes, nose, and mouth need to be unobstructed in order for Face ID to work.
  • Face ID is most accurate when it’s set up for full-face recognition only. To use Face ID while wearing a mask, iPhone can recognize the unique features around the eye area to authenticate. You must be looking at your iPhone to use Face ID while wearing a mask. To use Face ID while wearing a mask, first enable the feature by going to Settings ⇒ Face ID & Passcode.
  • Face ID works best when the device is arm’s length or less from your face (25–50 cm away from your face).

Make sure your iPhone is up to date

An iOS 26 bug may cause your iPhone Face ID to stop working properly. To fix this, update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS 26. Go to Settings ⇒ General ⇒ Software Update. If a new update is available, install it.

Restart your iPhone to reboot Face ID

I had an issue with Face ID not working after updating to iOS 26. I restarted my iPhone and my problem was fixed immediately. This fix may work for you too, so give it a try. Go to Settings ⇒ General ⇒ Shut Down. Drag the power slider from left to right to shut down your iPhone. Wait a few seconds, then press the side button to turn your iPhone back on.

Face ID should now start working on your iPhone. But for security reasons, you must enter your passcode to re-enable Face ID after a restart.

Make sure Face ID is not restricted in Screen Time

If you have Content & Privacy restrictions enabled on your iPhone, it may be blocking Face ID from working properly. Here’s how you can fix it:

  1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
  2. Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
  3. Enter your Screen Time passcode if prompted.
  4. Tap on Passcode Changes and set it to Allow.

After turning off the restriction, Face ID should start working on your iPhone again. If this is not your issue, check other recommended solutions below.

Reset Face ID

Some users on Reddit reported that they fixed their iOS 26 Face ID issues by resetting Face ID and setting it up again. This isn’t as onerous as it sounds, because it only takes a few moments to configure Face ID. Do this:

  1. Open the Settings app and then tap Face ID & Passcode.
  2. Enter your passcode if prompted.
  3. Tap Reset Face ID.
  4. Follow the instructions to set up Face ID a second time.

If you follow each of these troubleshooting steps and Face ID still does not work on your iPhone, you may have a hardware problem with your device that requires servicing. You should reach out to Apple Support for further help.

Tags: face id, iOS 26
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How to Fix iPhone Widgets Not Working on iOS 26

by Chris Smith

With widgets, you get timely information from your favorite apps at a glance on your Home Screen, Lock Screen, or Today View. Some iPhone users have reported that they keep running into issues with widgets not loading, updating, or displaying data after iOS 26 update. iOS 26 bugs and conflicting settings are the cause of these issues.

So let’s check out what you can do to fix your iPhone widgets if they are not working on iOS 26.

1. Restart Your iPhone

The first thing you should do if widgets are not working on iOS 26 is to restart your iPhone. That’s a quick way to fix most issues brought about by buggy apps and system software.

To do that, start the Settings app and go to General > Shut Down. Drag the Slide to Power off slider from left to right to shut down your iPhone. After the device finishes shutting down, hold down the Side button to reboot it.

2. Update All Your Apps

If widgets are still not working on your iOS 26 device, try updating all apps on your iPhone. Newer updates versions usually come with lots of fixes for known problems preventing widgets from functioning normally.

If you don’t have automatic app updates enabled, start the App Store app and tap your account icon at the top-right corner. Next, perform a swipe-down gesture to scan for the latest updates. Finally, tap Update All to install pending app updates in one go.

3. Make sure The Latest iOS Update is Installed

Early builds of major system software iterations—such as iOS 26.0—are relatively unstable and adversely impact widget functionality. The best way to fix that is by keeping iOS up to date.

To check if a new iOS 26 update is available, start the Settings app and then tap General. Tap Software Update. If there’s an update available, tap Update Now and then follow the onscreen instructions.

You can also activate automatic system-software updates for your iPhone. To do that, tap Automatic Updates (on the same screen) and turn on the switches next to Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates.

4. Change the System Language

If widgets still fail to load on iOS 26, consider trying out this unusual fix that involves briefly changing the system language on your iPhone.

Start the Settings app on your iPhone and go to General > Language & Region. Then, tap Other Languages and pick a different language. That should automatically restart the device.

Follow this by switching back to your preferred language and double-check your widgets to see if they’ve started working correctly.

Another fix that can resolve issues with malfunctioning widgets requires making the text bold on your iPhone.

To do that, simply start the Settings app and go to General > Display & Brightness and turn on the switch next to Bold Text. In case that helps, disable the bold text and check if the issue recurs.

5. Disable Low Data Mode and Low Power Mode

Low Data Mode and Low Power Mode can impair widget-related activity. Try disabling them and check if that helps.

How to Disable Low Data Mode: Cellular

If you use cellular data for internet connectivity, start the Settings app and go to Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Mode and select Standard.

See also: iPhone Cellular Data Not Working on iOS 26? How to fix it

How to Disable Low Data Mode: Wi-Fi

iOS apply Low Data Mode for Wi-Fi on a per-connection basis. So start the Settings app and go to Wi-Fi, select your active Wi-Fi connection, and deactivate the switch next to Low Data Mode.

See also: iPhone is Connected to Wi-Fi, but No Internet Access on iOS 26? Fix!

How to Disable Low Power Mode

To disable Low Power Mode, start the Settings app and go to Battery. Turn off the switch next to Low Power Mode.

6. Check System Settings for Apps

If a specific widget has trouble presenting up-to-date information, check if Location Services and Background App Refresh are set up for the relevant app.

How to Check Location Services

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Privacy & Security.
  3. Tap Location Services.
  4. Tap the relevant app and select While Using the App or Always.

That should allow the app (and its widget) to display data based on location.

How to Check Background App Refresh

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Tap Background App Refresh.
  4. Turn on the switch next to the app in question.

That should allow the app (and its widget in turn) to refresh automatically in the background.

7. Edit the Widget Preferences

If a widget displays the wrong information, you must check if it’s set up correctly.

Taking the Weather widget as an example, start by long-pressing and selecting the Edit Widget option. You can then tap My Location to search for and pick the correct location. Follow that by tapping outside the widget area to save your changes.

8. Remove and Re-add Widgets

Removing and re-adding a widget that has loading or other issues can also help.

  1. Touch and hold the widget that you want to remove.
  2. Tap Remove Widget.
  3. Tap Remove again to confirm.
  4. You can then re-add the widget via the widgets gallery. Just long-press a vacant area in the Today View or on the Home screen and tap the Plus icon at the top of the screen to bring it up. Then, locate the widget and tap Add Widget.

9. Reinstall Related Apps

If the issue is restricted to a specific widget, you should try re-installing the relevant app.

Start the Settings app and go to General > iPhone Storage. Then, pick the app you want to uninstall and tap Delete App. Tap Delete to confirm your decision. Follow that by reinstalling the app via the App Store.

10. Reset Network or All Settings

Try resetting the network settings on your iPhone. If that fails, you must reset all settings on your iOS device. That helps fix network-related and other underlying issues preventing widgets from functioning correctly.

To do that, start the Settings app and go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and use the Reset Network Settings and the Reset All Settings options.

Fixed: iPhone Widgets Working on iOS 26 Again

Keeping both the apps and iOS up-to-date is the best way to minimize widget-related issues going forward. Also, don’t forget to check any widget-specific settings to ensure that everything’s been set up correctly.

Tag: iOS 26
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Not Getting Message Notifications on iPhone in iOS 26? Fix

by Chris Smith

Is your iPhone not notifying you of text messages after updating to iOS 26? You might not get new text notifications due to misconfigured settings or software bugs. Usually, the issue is temporary, and you can solve it with some quick, straightforward fixes.

If text messages are not showing up on your iPhone after iOS 26 update, your device isn’t displaying notifications for an incoming SMS or iMessage, or your locked iPhone doesn’t make a sound when you get a text message, look at these handy solutions to fix such issues.

1. Check Notification Settings for Messages

If you are not getting message notifications on your iPhone in iOS 26, first make sure the Messages app is configured to show texts notifications on the Lock Screen, Notification Center, and elsewhere.

To do this, follow these simple steps:

  1. Go to Settings ⇒ Notifications ⇒ Messages.
  2. Make sure the switch next to Allow Notifications is turned on.
  3. Under Alerts, check the boxes for Allow on Lock Screen, Allow in Notification Center, and Allow as Banner. Next, tap Sounds and choose a loud message tone.
  4. If you don’t see the actual message content on your iPhone Lock Screen, tap Show Previews and choose Always.

After following the above steps, new text messages via SMS and iMessage should show up on your iPhone and make a sound when the device is locked.

2. Ensure the Person Isn’t Muted

If you’re scratching your head wondering why your iPhone is not alerting you when you receive text messages from one person, you might have muted that person. Once you mute a person or group, your iPhone won’t alert you when they send you a new text or iMessage. Below, you’ll find out how to fix this:

  1. Launch the Messages app on your iPhone and go through your conversations.
  2. Swipe left on the conversation that has a gray slashed bell icon.
  3. Now, tap the bell icon to unmute this message thread and get alerts.

3. Check Sound Settings

  1. Go to Settings ⇒ Sounds & Haptics, then do the following:
    • Make sure Silent Mode is turned off if your iPhone has an Action button.
    • Drag the slider below Ringtone and Alerts towards the right to increase the sound volume.
    • Tap Text Tone and make sure None is not selected.

See also: No sound on iPhone after iOS 26 Update? How to Fix The Issue

4. Turn Off Focus

When your iPhone is in Focus mode like Do Not Disturb, it does not vibrate or play a sound for new texts. You can fix this by opening the iOS Control Center and ensuring the Focus icon doesn’t say Do Not Disturb. If it does, tap on it to toggle the feature off.

5. Force Quit the Messages App

Restarting the messages app can fix minor glitches preventing your iPhone from receiving text notifications. On your iPhone, slowly swipe up from the bottom to the middle of the screen and hold until you see the App Switcher. Now, swipe up on the Messages app card to force quit. Hopefully, this should get rid of minor glitches preventing the Messages app from receiving notification.

6. Ensure iMessage Is Enabled

If you are not receiving iMessage notifications on your iPhone, you should check if iMessage is enabled on your device. To do that, go to Settings ⇒ Apps ⇒ Messages and make sure iMessage is enabled.

Next, tap Send & Receive and check you have the correct phone number and email address selected. When you do this, you should start receiving iMessage notifications on your iPhone again.

7. Restart Your iPhone

Your iPhone might not be receiving text message alerts due to temporary software glitches. Usually, a quick restart fixes these issues.

To restart your iPhone, go to Settings ⇒ General ⇒ Shut Down. Drag the Slide to Power off slider from left to right. After a minute, turn on your iPhone by pressing the Side button until you see the Apple Logo.

8. Turn Off Screen Unknown Senders

iPhone users can screen messages from unknown senders. While this is off by default, you may have accidentally turned it on. If that’s the case, you could be missing text message notifications from numbers you haven’t saved on your phone. Additionally, if someone who isn’t in your contact list messages you, the Messages app will sort their text into a separate list and not notify you of it.

To fix this, go to Settings ⇒ Apps ⇒ Messages and turn off Screen Unknown Senders. While you are here, make sure Text Message Filter is set to None and Filter Spam is set to off.

9. Disconnect Bluetooth Devices

If you forget and leave Bluetooth buds or devices connected to your iPhone, the new text message sound may output via that instead of the on-device speaker. To fix this, go to Settings ⇒ Bluetooth and turn off Bluetooth. Alternatively, you can disconnect these devices from the iOS Control Center by tapping the Bluetooth icon.

10. Make Sure the Person Isn’t Blocked

After you block a person, they can’t call or text you. If your iPhone isn’t getting texts from a specific person, make sure they aren’t added (accidentally or on purpose) to the block list.

  1. Go to Settings ⇒ Apps ⇒ Messages.
  2. Tap on Blocked Contacts.
  3. If the person is listed here, swipe left on their name or number and tap Unblock.

11. Ensure Custom Text Tone Isn’t Set to “None”

Did you ever set “None” as the alert tone for a particular contact and forget about it? If yes, that is the reason why you are not receiving text messages alert sound on your iPhone. Here is how to assign a proper tone for new texts from that person:

  1. Tap the person’s name in the Contacts or Phone app.
  2. Tap Text Tone and choose a different alert tone instead of “None.” Tap on Done to save this change.

If you don’t see Text Tone in step 2, you probably didn’t set a custom text tone for this person. So, please move on to the next fix.

12. Enable “Notify Me”

Were you receiving too many group iMessage notifications that you muted the conversation when you were in a bad mood? If yes, go to Settings ⇒ Apps ⇒ Messages and turn on Notify Me under Mentions. Now, you’ll receive notifications only when someone mentions you in a muted conversation. This way, you can limit unnecessary text notifications and still be aware of those where you’re mentioned specially.

13. Disable Text Message Forwarding

When you choose to receive texts on your Mac or iPad, at times, new text notifications may not show on your iPhone. To fix this, go to Settings ⇒ Apps ⇒ Messages ⇒ Text Message Forwarding and turn it off for your other Apple devices.

14. Are You Using an Apple Watch?

If you have enabled text notifications on your Apple Watch, it may not show them on your iPhone or play the tone. To fix this, make sure your iPhone and Apple Watch are running the latest versions of iOS and watchOS, respectively. Then, turn off text notifications on the Apple Watch from the Watch app on your iPhone.

15. Have You Opened the Messages App on Your Mac?

If you keep the Messages app open on your Mac, new messages may appear there, and your iPhone might not play the text notification sound for them. To fix this, quit the Messages app on your Mac. Or, you may use it there if you’re already working on your computer.

16. Other Solutions

If your iPhone is still not alerting you to text messages on iOS 26, don’t worry—hope isn’t lost yet.

The first thing you can do is make sure that your mobile plan allows you to receive text messages. Make sure your cellular plan is active and that you have no pending bills.

If you think that an iOS 26 bug is causing your iPhone not to receive text message notifications, you may need to update iOS. You can do that by going to Settings ⇒ General ⇒ Software Update. At times, bugs like failing text notifications are fixed by installing the newest iOS update.

Not Getting Message Notifications on iPhone in iOS 26? Let’s Fix That!

Not getting text messages notifications on your iPhone after updating to iOS 26 is annoying, but you should start receiving notifications again after trying the above solutions.

See also: How to fix notifications not showing up after iOS 26 update!

Tags: iOS 26, Messages
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How to Fix iPhone Alarm Not Working on iOS 26

by Chris Smith
  • To fix an iPhone alarm that’s not working on iOS 26, start by checking the alarm’s configuration in the Clock app, such as AM/PM and recurring settings.
  • Double check your Apple Watch, if you have one, to make sure it’s not in Mute or Theater mode.
  • Here are ten ways to troubleshoot an iPhone alarm that isn’t waking you.

While the old-fashioned alarm clock isn’t extinct, it’s certainly on the endangered species list. For many people, it’s simply easier to rely on their iPhone to wake up in the morning — not only is it probably on the bed stand charging overnight, but it’s the first thing many of us look at after waking.

In iOS 26, Apple lets you customize your iPhone’s alarm snooze duration anywhere from 1 to 15 minutes, which may well put an end to years of morning routine frustration.

But if your alarm is sometimes quiet on iOS 26, that can be a serious problem. Here are nine ways to troubleshoot your iOS 26 alarm issue so you don’t oversleep in the morning.

Double-check the alarm settings

Unfortunately, most of the time when an iPhone alarm doesn’t go off when you expect, the root cause is user error — you probably simply set the alarm incorrectly. The most common errors? Choosing PM instead of AM (or the other way around) or believing the alarm was set to recurring when in fact it was a one-time alarm. So if your alarm is sometimes quiet on iOS 26, check your alarm settings to make sure that they’re correct:

  1. Open the Clock app and tap the Alarms tab.
  2. Tap Edit in the upper-left corner.
  3. Tap the alarm that didn’t go off.
  4. Check for the proper time, AM/PM setting, and see if it’s set to recur on the days of the week you want. If not, tap Repeat and make the necessary changes. Next, tap Sound to pick a sound that plays when the alarm sounds.
  5. Tap Done in the upper-right corner.

Check your alarm volume

By default, alarm sounds are controlled in the Settings app, not with the volume buttons on the side of the iPhone. Make sure it’s set high enough to wake you — otherwise, the alarm could go off and you simply won’t even know.

  1. Open the Settings app and tap Sounds & Haptics.
  2. Under the Ringtone and Alerts section, adjust the volume slider so it’s loud enough to get your attention in the morning.
  3. Make sure Change with Buttons is off, with the button swiped to the left, or else you can easily lower the volume of the alarm by accident using the volume buttons.

Use an Apple Watch? Check your settings there

If you use an Apple Watch in conjunction with your phone’s Clock app, certain settings on your watch can interfere with the watch’s ability to gently wake you in the morning when the alarm is scheduled to go off.

First, make sure your Apple Watch isn’t locked. If necessary, enter your passcode on the watch so you can gain access to your watch apps. Then swipe up from the bottom to see the Settings screen and make sure that it is not set to Mute, Theater mode, or Airplane mode. If any of those three icons are selected, tap them to turn them off.

Make sure your phone isn’t connected to a Bluetooth device

If you connect headphones to your iPhone, the alarm plays at a set volume through the built-in speakers on your iPhone as well as wired and wireless headphones. However, an iOS 26 bug may cause audio to only play through a connected audio device, like headphones, earbuds, or a portable speaker that’s in another room. To fix this, ensure there are no connected Bluetooth devices, or simply toggle Bluetooth off and then turn it back on again. Any devices will disconnect and the alarm should play through the iPhone’s speaker.

To do that, open the Settings app then tap Bluetooth. Turn Bluetooth off, then wait about five seconds. Then you can turn Bluetooth back on again (or, if you prefer, simply leave it off).

Restart your iPhone

There might be some sort of glitch in iOS 26 that’s preventing your iPhone alarm from working properly. You can clear out this kind of temporary glitch by turning your iPhone off and then back on again.

Update iOS

There’s also a good chance that the iOS 26 version you are running has a major bug that’s preventing alarms from going off. The remedy? Update your iPhone to the latest iOS 26 version and try the alarm again. Go to Settings ⇒ General ⇒ Software Update. If a new iOS 26 update is available, tap Update Now.

Reset All Settings

It’s possible a deep software problem is preventing your iPhone from making noise when an alarm goes off. Some software issues can be difficult to track down, so we’re going to reset everything.

When you Reset All Settings, everything in the Settings app is restored to factory defaults. You’ll have to pair your Bluetooth devices to your iPhone again and reenter your Wi-Fi passwords.

To reset all the settings on your iPhone, open Settings and tap General ⇒ Transfer Or Reset iPhone ⇒ Reset ⇒ Reset All Settings. If asked, enter your iPhone’s Passcode. Tap Reset All Settings to confirm the reset. Your iPhone will turn off, reset, and turn on again when the reset is complete.

Use a different alarm app

If you have tried everything in this guide and alarms are not going off on iOS 26, it might be time to move on from the Clock app. There are a lot of third party alarm apps for the iPhone, and you can probably find alternatives that you like as well (or better) than the Clock app.

Quick tip: Some of the best alternative alarm apps include Loud Alarm Clock, Alarmy, and Alarm Clock for Me.

Contact Apple support

If alarms are still not working on your iPhone, you may want to contact Apple Support for assistance.

Tag: iOS 26
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How to Fix iPhone Microphone Issues on iOS 26

by Chris Smith
  • If the microphones on your iPhone aren’t working after iOS 26 update, there are steps you can take to troubleshoot and solve the problem.
  • Your iPhone has three mics, so make sure all three of them are not blocked or obscured in any way.
  • You should also test your mic, disconnect other audio devices, and ensure all your apps have permission to use the mic in Settings.

The microphones in your iPhone does a lot. It is essential to phone calls and FaceTime, of course, but in addition, many apps rely on the microphone to record audio or listen for commands. Siri needs the mic to hear you as well. If the microphones on your iPhone aren’t working at all — or the audio it’s capturing is muffled, fuzzy, or unclear — that can lead to a lot of frustration. Here are the most common methods you can employ to resolve your iPhone microphone issues on iOS 26.

Make sure the microphones are clear of any blockages

It’s easy for your iPhone microphones to get partially or completely blocked by all sorts of things, including dirt, dust, and pocket lint, as well as screen protectors, films, and cases. Your iPhone should have three microphones, so check each one for any possible blockage. If needed, remove any screen protectors, films, or cases from your iPhone if they’re getting in the way.

Not sure where iPhone microphones are? You should have one at the bottom of the phone (look for the series of small holes), one at the top in the front camera, and the third is on the back of the phone — the small pinpoint-sized hole near the camera lenses.

Test the microphone

If the sound is unclear during phone calls, during FaceTime calls, in video recordings, or in apps, you should test your iPhone’s microphones to check if they are working properly. It’s easy to test the mics on your iPhone:

Test the microphone for phone or FaceTime calls

  1. Launch the Voice Memos app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the Record button, speak at the bottom of your phone, then stop the recording.
  3. When you play back the memo, you should hear your voice clearly.

If the audio is unclear, it’s likely you have a hardware problem with your iPhone, so contact Apple’s customer support for additional service.

Test speakerphone microphone

  1. Launch the Camera app on your iPhone.
  2. Record a video while speaking at the top of your iPhone.
  3. Tap the camera chooser to switch to the other camera. Then record another video while speaking at the top of your iPhone.
  4. When you play back the videos, you should hear your voice clearly.

If the audio is unclear, contact Apple’s customer support for additional service.

Disconnect any audio accessories

It’s possible that your iPhone is trying to use the microphone in an accessory like a headphone, earbuds, or portable speaker rather than the mic built into the iPhone, and that’s why the audio is distant or muffled. The easiest way to eliminate this possibility is to make sure no accessories are plugged into your iPhone and to turn off Bluetooth. Pull down the Control Center from the top of the screen and then tap the Bluetooth icon to temporarily disable the Bluetooth radio on your iPhone.

Restart the phone

The iPhone is a small computer, and you can solve a lot of perplexing glitches on any computer by turning it off and then back on again. That will flush out any corrupt data or glitchy software that might be causing your mic to misbehave. Restart your iPhone and then test your mic again.

Make sure your app has permission

If the microphone works in general and only appears to be a problem in a specific app, it’s possible that the app doesn’t have permission to use the mic. You can easily fix this problem by ensuring that any app which needs the mic has permission.

  1. Go to Settings ⇒ Privacy & Security ⇒ Microphone.
  2. Make sure that the app is enabled.
    If the app has permission to access your microphone, or if it isn’t listed, contact the app developer.

Get service

If you still sound unclear during calls, recordings, or apps, your iPhone might need service. Visit Apple’s website to get service.

See also: How to Fix iPhone Not Making Calls After iOS 26 Update

Tags: iOS 26, microphone
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No sound on iPhone after iOS 26 Update? How to Fix The Issue

by Chris Smith

Having problems getting your iPhone to play music, podcasts, or other audio? We outline a few ways to fix no sound problem on iPhone after iOS 26 update.

  • If there’s no sound on your iPhone after iOS 26 update, there are a number of possible causes.
  • Make sure your iPhone isn’t on silent mode, and turn off any Focus modes in the Control Center.
  • You can also make sure audio isn’t being routed to a nearby Bluetooth device.

No sound on your iPhone after updating to iOS 26? It’s a more common problem than you might expect, because there are so many things that can go awry, preventing your audio from working properly. If you’re having trouble with Apple Music not playing, podcasts remaining silent, or any other absence of audio on your iPhone, then obviously something is wrong. Here are a few different methods to fix an iPhone making no sound after iOS 26 update.

Make sure your iPhone isn’t muted

This might seem obvious to some, but it’s easily overlooked if you’re perplexed why there’s no sound coming out of your iPhone when you get a phone call — make sure the iPhone isn’t set to Silent. Take a look at the Ring / Silent switch on the side of your iPhone. If the switch is pulled toward the screen, your iPhone’s ringer is turned on. If the switch is pushed toward the back of the iPhone, your iPhone is on silent and you’ll see a small orange stripe next to the switch. Simply flip the silent switch to the “Ring” position.

If you are using an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16, go to Settings ⇒ Sounds & Haptics and make sure that the Silent Mode switch is off.

See also: How to Fix iPhone Not Ringing After iOS 26 Update

Turn off any Focus modes

You can use Focus to prevent distractions from interrupting you while you work, exercise, drive, or sleep. But it can also sometimes be confusing and prevent sound from playing when you expect it to. Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top right) and check the Focus icon. If it says anything other than Focus, tap the icon to turn it off.

Adjust the volume in the app

It’s possible the sound is dialed too far down to hear, so start the app you are trying to use and then press the volume up button on the side of your iPhone, or slide down from the upper right of the screen to open Control Centre and use the volume control icon to turn up the volume.

See also: How to Fix iPhone Volume Buttons Not Working After IOS 26 Update

Turn off Bluetooth

It’s possible that your iPhone is still securely connected to a Bluetooth audio device like a Bluetooth speaker or earbuds that are too far away to hear. The easiest way to ensure that’s not the case is to simply disable Bluetooth entirely, at least temporarily. Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top right) and tap the Bluetooth icon to turn off the Bluetooth radio. That will release any Bluetooth devices and force the iPhone to use its own built-in speaker.

Make sure your speakers aren’t blocked

It’s possible that some sort of physical obstruction could be muting the sound enough that you can’t hear it. If your iPhone has any sort of case or screen protector, remove it — especially if it might be covering the phone’s speakers. Then inspect the speaker to see if they are possibly blocked or muted by dirt or debris. If so, carefully clean the speakers.

See also: How to Fix iPhone Speakers Not Working After iOS 26 Update

Restart your iPhone

It’s possible that there’s some sort of software glitch preventing your iPhone from playing audio properly. The easiest way to resolve any remaining issues is to restart your iPhone — in other words, to turn your phone off and then back on again. In many cases, your phone will work properly when it’s restarted.

Check the sound settings

If your iPhone still isn’t playing any sound even after the previous troubleshooting steps and restarting the phone, check your sound settings.

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Sounds & Haptics.
  3. In the Ringtone & Alerts section, drag the volume slider to the left and right. You should hear some sound.

If you don’t hear anything, it is likely there’s a serious problem with your phone’s hardware. Book an appointment with Apple Support to have your iPhone repaired or replaced.

Tags: iOS 26, Sound
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How to Fix iPhone Speakers Not Working After iOS 26 Update

by Chris Smith
  • If your iPhone speakers are not working after updating to iOS 26, there are some simple ways to troubleshoot possible problems.
  • To start, make sure that the speakers aren’t muted with Silent mode or with Focus mode.
  • You should also make sure AirPlay isn’t enabled and your phone isn’t connected to a Bluetooth audio accessory.

Your iPhone is a dependable device, but like any phone, it has a few parts that are vulnerable to glitches and malfunctions. At the top of the list: the speaker and microphones, simply because they are analog devices with tiny vibrating parts.

And if your iPhone speakers aren’t working after updating to iOS 26, that’s a serious problem — you can’t hear phone calls, music, podcasts, Siri, or notifications. There could be numerous reasons why your iPhone speakers stopped working after iOS 26 update. Here are the top ways to troubleshoot the problem and hear your audio once again.

Make sure the audio isn’t silent or muted

It’s possible you accidentally set your iPhone to a silent mode, so the speaker works fine — it’s just muted. This might seem obvious to some, but it’s easily overlooked if you’re perplexed why there’s no sound coming out of your iPhone speakers when you get a phone call — make sure the iPhone isn’t set to Silent. Take a look at the Ring / Silent switch on the side of your iPhone. If the switch is pulled toward the screen, your iPhone’s ringer is turned on. If the switch is pushed toward the back of the iPhone, your iPhone is on silent and you’ll see a small orange stripe next to the switch. Simply flip the silent switch to the “Ring” position.

If you are using an iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Pro, go to Settings ⇒ Sounds & Haptics and make sure Silent Mode is turned off.

In addition, make sure your phone isn’t in a Focus mode like Do Not Disturb. Swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal the Control Center and make sure the Focus button says Focus rather than another setting. If it says Do Not Disturb, Personal, or another setting, tap it to disable Focus mode.

Make sure you’re not sending audio to AirPlay

If you’ve recently used AirPlay to send audio or video to your TV or another AirPlay device, it’s possible it’s in AirPlay mode. To check, swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal the Control Center and then tap the AirPlay icon at the top right of the music playback section. If another device is receiving audio with AirPlay, tap iPhone to revert back to your own device.

Disconnect audio accessories

Perhaps your speakers are fine, but the sound is going through another device like headphones, earbuds, or a portable speaker that’s still connected to your phone. If that device is far away or has the volume set low, you might not realize it’s playing the iPhone’s sound. The easiest way to solve this problem is to make sure no accessories are plugged into your iPhone and to disconnect Bluetooth. Go to Settings ⇒ Bluetooth to see a list of connections. Disable any Bluetooth headphones, speakers, or other devices that you don’t want to play through.

You can also turn Bluetooth off altogether by toggling the button at the top. However, this will cut off other connections, such as smartwatches. Tap a connected device to disconnect it, or select the i on the relevant device and choose Forget This Device to prevent it from pairing in the future.

Clean your speaker

Is the speaker blocked, obscured, or dirty? That could be keeping you from hearing audio the speaker is trying to play. To clean your iPhone speaker, remove your iPhone case and screen protector if it’s affecting the speaker in any way. Then check to see if it’s dirty. If necessary, carefully use a small, dry soft-bristled brush to clear away any lint, dirt, or grime.

Restart your iPhone

If you’ve gotten this far and your iPhone speaker is still not working properly, you might have a glitch that’s best resolved by turning your iPhone off and then back on again. That can flush out any corrupt data or glitchy software that might be causing your speaker to fail to work properly. Restart your iPhone and then test your speaker again.

Check your sound settings

If certain kinds of sound aren’t playing properly, it’s a good idea to check your iPhone’s settings to make sure they’re not actually disabled or set too low to hear. Go to Settings ⇒ Sounds & Haptics. In the Ringtone and Alerts section, drag the volume slider to the right. You should hear some audio — if you don’t, you may need to seek service from Apple’s customer service.

Repair Your iPhone Speaker

If your iPhone speaker is broken or your iPhone speaker is muffled or won’t work during calls, the good news is that Apple does replace iPhone speakers both at the Genius Bar and through their mail-in repair service at their support website.

By this point, we’ve either fixed your iPhone’s software or we’ve determined that your iPhone speaker is not working because of a hardware problem and you know how to get your iPhone repaired. If you have time, share which fix worked for you in the comments section below—that will help other people with the same problem.

See also: How to Fix iPhone Volume Buttons Not Working After IOS 26 Update

Tags: iOS 26, Sound
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How to Fix iPhone Volume Buttons Not Working After IOS 26 Update

by Chris Smith

A broken volume button is often unexpected and can be annoying to deal with. After all, we don’t realize how much we use it until it no longer works. Not being able to turn your volume down when an annoying video plays or your song is too loud can also be embarrassing.

If your iPhone volume buttons aren’t working after updating to iOS 26, you should fix them as soon as possible. Luckily, there are plenty of solutions, and you can do many of them yourself.

How to fix iPhone volume buttons not working on iOS 26

1. Turn On Change With Buttons

If you’re trying to increase or decrease the ringer volume on your iPhone using the volume buttons, make sure Change with Buttons is turned on. If this setting is off, the volume buttons will only adjust the volume for things like music, podcasts, and videos when played through headphones or your iPhone’s speakers. This setting is already enabled by default on an iPhone, but it’s possible it was turned off during iOS 26 update.

To check this, go to Settings ⇒ Sounds & Haptics and toggle on the switch next to Change with Buttons. If this isn’t enabled, this could be why your iPhone volume buttons aren’t adjusting ringer volume on your iPhone. If it’s already enabled, toggle it off and back on.

2. Remove Your iPhone From Its Case

The iPhone is expensive, so it’s likely that most of you use a case to protect it. A lot of the time, cheap rubber cases can jam the buttons on your iPhone and prevent them from working. Try taking the case off of your iPhone and pressing the volume buttons again. If they work now, you’ll need to get a new case. After all, you probably want to keep your iPhone protected.

It’s also possible that prolonged use of a case can cause your volume buttons to get dirty. If that’s the case, proceed to the next step.

3. Restart your iPhone

Like any other gadget, the iPhone isn’t exempt from temporary unit failure or malfunction. If your iPhone’s volume buttons still don’t work on iOS 26, it’s probably due to a temporary volume control malfunction. Restarting your iPhone might fix the issue.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll down and tap Shut Down.
  4. Drag the Slide to Power off slider to power off your device.
  5. Let your device shut down completely, and then turn on your device by pressing and holding’ the Side button.

4. Clean Your iPhone’s Volume Buttons Using Alcohol

We use our phones so much that dirt and grime can sometimes get under the buttons, especially when not using a case. So, press down on your buttons a few times to check if your iPhone volume buttons are stuck. You might need to clean them if they’re stuck or don’t seem to click down.

To clean your volume buttons, take a cotton swab and dip it in isopropyl alcohol. The best option for cleaning electronics is 99 percent isopropyl alcohol, as it dries quickly and doesn’t contain much water. It also removes dirt and grime by breaking up oils.

Use the cotton swab to clean around your volume button the best you can. If you can push down on the buttons, doing so might help you clean it better. There’s no need to overdo it with the alcohol, as it doesn’t take much to work.

After cleaning, wait a few minutes for the alcohol to dry. If your volume buttons are working now, great! If they are only working a bit better, that’s a sign that they are still dirty, and you should keep cleaning them. Unfortunately, if your iPhone volume buttons are completely stuck, you’ll probably have to get your iPhone repaired. Scroll down to the bottom of this article to explore your volume button repair options!

5. Control Your iPhone Volume Without Using Volume Buttons

If the volume buttons are stuck and you can’t get your iPhone repaired anytime soon, you can use other methods to adjust the volume. If you use apps like Spotify, you can control the volume within the app without a physical button. If all else fails, there are still ways to control your volume without using the buttons.

When iPhone is locked or when you’re using an app, you can adjust the volume in Control Center. Open Control Center, then drag the volume slider.

You can also use Siri to turn the volume up or down. Activate Siri and say something like: “Turn up the volume” or “Turn down the volume.

If you have AirPods, you can say, “Hey Siri, turn up the volume.” Other Bluetooth headphones typically have built-in volume controls, which you can use as well. This means that you won’t have to keep going to your phone when you want to change the volume.

To adjust the ringer volume, go to Settings ⇒ Sounds & Haptics. Use a finger to drag the volume slider below Ringtone & Alerts. The further left you drag the slider, the quieter your iPhone will ring. The further right you drag the slider, the louder it will ring. When you drag the slider, a pop-up will appear on the center of the display to let you know the ringer volume has been adjusted.

6. Update Your iPhone

An iOS 26 bug can also cause your iPhone volume buttons to stop working properly. To be safe, try updating your iPhone to the latest iOS 26 version and see if it resolves the issue.

You can update it by heading to Settings ⇒ General ⇒ Software Update. Here, you can see if a new iOS version is available. If you’re using a beta version of iOS, it might be time to switch back to the stable public build and report this issue to Apple.

7. Reset or Restore Your iPhone

Sometimes, firmware updates can change how the buttons on our phones work. Since your iPhone’s volume buttons stopped working after updating to iOS 26, try restarting your phone by going to Settings ⇒ General ⇒ Shut Down. Drag the Slide to Power off slider towards the right to power down your iPhone. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to power your iPhone back on.

If that doesn’t help, you might need to reset your device. This means backing up your iPhone and erasing all the content settings. A full reset might also work if your iPhone volume button stops working after an app download or a jailbreak attempt.

To do this, first, you’ll need to back up your iPhone. Then, go to Settings ⇒ General ⇒ Transfer or Reset iPhone ⇒ Erase All Content and Settings.

This will wipe your phone clean and essentially make it like new. Before restoring a backup, go into the device and test the volume buttons. If they work, restore your backup.

In some cases, restoring your backup might make them not work again. If that’s the case, it might have been an app you tried to download, or your backup could be corrupted. Sadly, this means starting from scratch unless you have an older backup you can try restoring.

8. Get Your Volume Buttons Repaired

If cleaning your buttons and resetting your iPhone doesn’t fix the volume buttons, you most likely need to get the buttons repaired. This is especially true if you recently damaged your iPhone or exposed it to water.

Your best bet for a reliable repair is to set up an appointment at the Apple Store near you and get your iPhone diagnosed by a licensed technician. Alternatively, you can reach out to Apple’s support team online, through the mail, or over the phone to find out what your repair options might be.

Turn Up The Volume!

Your volume buttons are working again! Next time your iPhone volume buttons are not working after an iOS update, you’ll know how to fix the problem. Drop a comment down below and let me know which fix solved your iPhone’s problem!

Tags: iOS 26, Sound
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